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Houston Rockets: Analyzing The Low-Seed Murkiness Of The West

By James D'Elia

Mar 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Michael Beasley (8) celebrates with guard James Harden (13) after making a basket during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 116-111. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Michael Beasley (8) celebrates with guard James Harden (13) after making a basket during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 116-111. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 14, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) backs down Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) backs down Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

SF Trevor Ariza vs Luc Mbah a Moute

I honestly don’t understand how Mbah a Moute is a starting small-forward on a four-seeded team but whatever. Ariza has been fantastic for the Rockets this year and probably the most consistent performer during a hugely disappointing season. Mbah a Moute on the other hand averages 3.0 PPG, 0.4 APG and 2.4 RPG.

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    • If Ariza can continue to knock down his threes this match up will be the key to the Rockets set up. Ariza takes the biggest offensive threat so he will likely have spells on both Griffin and Paul, that means other Rockets help defend elsewhere and can fool Mbah a Moute because he poses absolutely no scoring threat. Essentially, the Rockets will force Mbah a Moute to beat them on his own accord.

    Advantage: Rockets

    PF Donatas Motiejunas vs Blake Griffin

    This could be very very interesting. Griffin isn’t expected back until late April and that will mean he hadn’t played a game of basketball since Christmas Day. Do the Clippers risk it and plug Griffin back into the starting lineup? Of course they do. Griffin was an X-Factor last season and he was the one player the Rockets never really could control in the playoffs last year.

    The Rockets don’t really have anyone who can go with Griffin, but at least Motiejunas is a strong post defender and tries hard every game. Motiejunas’ post moves will be too much for Griffin and he isn’t one to follow other power forwards out behind-the-arc so that could be an important aspect of this match up. This is still a strong advantage for the Clippers.

    Advantage: Clippers

    C Playoff Dwight Howard vs DeAndre Jordan

    In the most recent match up, Howard got absolutely destroyed by Jordan and Howard was completely ineffective. What we’ve come to learn is Dwight is a different beast in the playoffs. He was fantastic in the Portland series in 2014 and was sensational in all three series last year. If Dwight steps up his game like in previous seasons, he can take DeAndre to the cleaners.

    Obviously, the talking point will be free throws and quite rightly so as this match up could depend on who can make 50 percent of their free throws.  However, a recent worrying trend of mine has been Howard’s dip in free throw percentage, he’s shooting 41.7 percent from the line since the All-Star Break.

    Also recently he’s not boxing out players and he’s trying to use his springs to out jump opponents for rebounds. If he continues with this, DeAndre will get the board and dunk all over him.

    Advantage: Clippers (slightly)

    Next: CLICK HERE: Who's Going To Shine For The Bench?

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